Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Based on 1 of 3 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

MacuGuard Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Life Extension

MacuGuard label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 9, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking MacuGuard against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

MacuGuard is a dietary supplement by Life Extension with 3 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for minor wounds and skin healing, skin inflammation and irritation, diaper rash.Based on those ingredients, 334 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Marigold extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against MacuGuard by Life Extension

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with MacuGuard by Life Extension — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of MacuGuard by Life Extension

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

What’s inside

Partial disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Partial

Most active ingredients list an amount, but at least one is hidden in a blend or missing.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 3 of its 5 active ingredients.
  • “Marigold extract” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label doesn't break down how much of each component you get.
  • “MacuGuard Carotenoid Phospholipid Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (145 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

MacuGuard contains five active ingredients. The product's two zeaxanthin forms—Meso-Zeaxanthin and Trans-Zeaxanthin—are carotenoids (plant pigments) that concentrate in the macula, the central part of your retina.

Free Lutein is another carotenoid that works alongside zeaxanthin. The formula also includes Phospholipids (a component we could not check for interactions) and C3G, a compound from plants (we hold no interaction data for it).

These are wrapped in a softgel with olive oil, safflower oil, gelatin, glycerin, beeswax, and other inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Eye health and macular degeneration support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Asthenopia (eye strain), Cataracts, Central serous retinopathy, Choroideremia, Diabetic retinopathy — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Lutein is rated "Possibly Effective" for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Lutein is rated "Possibly Effective" for Cataracts.
  • Also on file: Zeaxanthin is rated "Possibly Effective" for Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Zeaxanthin and lutein are both possibly effective for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the slow loss of central vision that comes with aging. That's the main reason people take MacuGuard.

The evidence for lutein in cataracts is also possibly effective. For other conditions listed—cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, asthma, and breast cancer—the evidence in our data is insufficient to rate either ingredient's usefulness.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Calendula

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 2 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 2 of 2.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 2 of 2.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Both zeaxanthin forms and lutein are generally well tolerated at the doses in this supplement. Lutein at doses up to 20 mg daily has not caused adverse effects in the studies we hold.

For pregnancy, the data rates both zeaxanthin and lutein as likely safe, though the evidence on concentrated supplements (not just food) during pregnancy is limited — talk with your doctor before starting if you're pregnant. For breastfeeding, lutein naturally appears in breast milk, but safety data on higher supplement doses is not well studied, so again, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Calendula

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 2 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Zeaxanthin.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 86 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Antidiabetes drugs (insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, and others) are the documented concern—zeaxanthin in this product may moderately increase the risk of low blood sugar. Check your exact medications with the tool on this page before you start.

We could not check Phospholipids and C3G for interactions, so mention this product to your pharmacist if you take any other medications.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glancePartially disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

MacuGuard is designed for people concerned about age-related macular degeneration or cataracts. If you take antidiabetes medications—insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas, or others—you should check those drugs against this product's ingredients before you start, because zeaxanthin may increase low blood sugar risk.

Talk to your pharmacist before adding it to your routine, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or take blood-sugar-control medications.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 3 of 5 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jun 24, 2016.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about MacuGuard, straight from the product label.

Brand Life Extension
Barcode (UPC) 737870192664
Net contents 60 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 24, 2016
DSLD ID 60779
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for MacuGuard by Life Extension, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Softgel(s)
UPC/BARCODE
737870192664
IngredientAmount% DV
Phospholipids0 NP--
Meso-Zeaxanthin4 mg--
Trans-Zeaxanthin0 NP--
Marigold extract0 NP--
Free Lutein10 mg--
C3G2.2 mg--
MacuGuard Carotenoid Phospholipid Blend145 mg--

Other ingredients: extra virgin Olive Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Safflower Oil, Beeswax, purified Water, Annatto color, Potato Maltodextrin

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Scan for product info

Based on scientific studies, this formula is enhanced with phospholipids to increase lutein absorption.*

To report a serious adverse event or obtain product information, contact 1-866-280-2852.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Read the entire label and follow the directions carefully prior to use. DIRECTIONS: Take one (1) softgel daily with or without food, or as recommended by a healthcare practitioner.

Precautions

WARNINGS: -Keep out of reach of children.

-DO NOT EXCEED RECOMMENDED DOSE. -Do not purchase if outer seal is broken or damaged.

-When using nutritional supplements, please consult with your physician if you are undergoing treatment for a medical condition or if you are pregnant or lactating.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Brand IP Statement(s)

LuteinPlus and Mz are registered trademarks of Nutriproducts Ltd., UK, licensed under U.S. Patent 8,623,428.

General

Q01926A

Formula

Carotenoid Blend of Lutein, Zeaxanthin and C3G

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Storage

Store tightly closed in a cool, dry place.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

MacuGuard by Life Extension label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

MacuGuard label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in MacuGuard by Life Extension

These are the 3 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

C3G

2.2 mg per serving Form: European Black Currant extract

MacuGuard Carotenoid Phospholipid Blend

145 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Extra virgin Olive Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Safflower Oil, Beeswax, Purified Water, Annatto color, Potato Maltodextrin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

MacuGuard by Life Extension Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against MacuGuard?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
334Drugs
86 Moderate 248 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Marigold extract 248

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in MacuGuard interact with 334 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 3 ingredients in MacuGuard interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Marigold extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in MacuGuard with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Marigold extract1 drug type · 248 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, calendula might have additive effects when used with CNS depressants, although this appears to be unlikely.
Although some animal research has suggested that a saponoside constituent in calendula may have sedative effects, calendula has been used for over 30 years without reports of sedation in humans.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Marigold extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for MacuGuard, from the product label.

Life Extension

See all Life Extension products
Name
Quality Supplements and Vitamins, Inc.
City
Ft. Lauderdale
State
FL
ZipCode
33309
Phone Number
1-866-280-2852
Web Address
LifeExtension.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

MacuGuard by Life Extension: Common Questions

Does MacuGuard by Life Extension interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, MacuGuard has a known interaction with 334 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
MacuGuard contains 3 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Does MacuGuard actually work for macular degeneration?
The two main ingredients—zeaxanthin and lutein—are possibly effective for age-related macular degeneration. That means there's reasonable evidence they help, but it's not definitive. For cataracts, lutein alone is also possibly effective. If you're concerned about your vision, talk with your eye doctor about whether MacuGuard fits your situation.
Can I take this if I'm pregnant?
The ingredients zeaxanthin and lutein are rated likely safe in pregnancy, but the evidence on concentrated supplement doses (rather than dietary amounts from food) is limited. Talk with your doctor or midwife before starting to make sure it's right for you.
What's in the softgel capsule itself?
The inactive ingredients are extra virgin olive oil, safflower oil, gelatin, glycerin, beeswax, purified water, annatto color (a natural coloring), and potato maltodextrin. These are the filler and capsule materials.
I'm on a diabetes medication. Is this safe for me?
Zeaxanthin, which makes up a big part of this product, may theoretically increase your risk of low blood sugar when combined with antidiabetes drugs. Before you start MacuGuard, use the medication checker on this page with your exact drug name, or ask your pharmacist to review it.
What are zeaxanthin and lutein?
They're carotenoids—natural pigments from plants—that your eye, especially the macula (the sharp-vision center), needs to stay healthy. MacuGuard delivers them in concentrated form as a supplement.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if MacuGuard is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

MacuGuard label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind MacuGuard’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Calendula

Interacts with 248 drugs

Calendula is a flowering plant whose petals are used mainly in skin creams, oils, and ointments to soothe minor irritation and support wound healing. Some early research is promising for ski...

Read the full Calendula monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

MacuGuard's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 15 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Zeaxanthin 4 references
  1. Montonen J, Knekt P, Jarvinen R, Reunanen A. Dietary antioxidant intake and risk of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004;27:362-6. PubMed
  2. Leermakers ET, Darweesh SK, Baena CP, et al. The effects of lutein on cardiometabolic health across the life course: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 2016;103(2):481-94. PubMed
  3. Kou L, Du M, Zhang C, Dai Z, Li X, Zhang B. The Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic, and Anti-Diabetic Nephritic Activities of Zeaxanthin in Diet-Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Sprague Dawley Rats. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2017;182(3):944-955. PubMed
  4. Xu X, Zhao X, Berde Y, Low YL, Kuchan MJ. Milk and Plasma Lutein and Zeaxanthin Concentrations in Chinese Breast-Feeding Mother-Infant Dyads With Healthy Maternal Fruit and Vegetable Intake. J Am Coll Nutr 2019;38(2):179-184. PubMed

See these in context on the Zeaxanthin monograph →

Calendula 9 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. Reider N, Komericki P, Hausen BM, et al. The seamy side of natural medicines: contact sensitization to arnica (Arnica montana L.) and marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). Contact Dermatitis 2001;45:269-72..
  3. Gol'dman II. [Anaphylactic shock after gargling with an infusion of Calendula]. Klin Med (Mosk) 1974;52:142-3.
  4. Paulsen E. Contact sensitization from Compositae-containing herbal remedies and cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis 2002;47:189-98. PubMed
  5. Bojadjiev C. On the sedative and hypotensive effect of preparations from the plant Calendula officinalis. Nauch Trud Visshi Med Inst Sof 1964;43:15-20.
  6. Samochowiec L. Pharmacological study of saponosides from Aralia mandshurica Rupr. et Maxim and Calendula officinalis L. Herba Pol. 1983;29:151-155.
  7. Madisetti M, Kelechi TJ, Mueller M, Amella EJ, Prentice MA. Feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability of RGN107 in the palliative wound care management of chronic wound symptoms. J Wound Care. 2017;26(Sup1):S25-S34. PubMed
  8. Final Assessment report on Calendula officinalis L., flos. European Medicines Agency: Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). 2018. EMA/HMPC/603409/2017. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-cal
  9. Puaratanaarunkon T, Washrawirul C, Chuenboonngarm N, Noppakun N, Asawanonda P, Kumtornrut C. Efficacy and safety of a facial serum containing snail secretion filtrate, Calendula officinalis, and Glycyrrhiza glaba root extract in the treatment of maskne: A

See these in context on the Calendula monograph →

Lutein 2 references
  1. Brown L, Rimm EB, Seddon JM, et al. A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:517-24. PubMed
  2. Chasan-Taber L, Willett WC, Seddon JM, et al. A prospective study of carotenoid and vitamin A intakes and risk of cataract extraction in US women. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:509-16. PubMed

See these in context on the Lutein monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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